Media Releases

Helping more Durack families access In Home Care

December 18, 2018

Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan last week said the Government had listened to feedback from families and providers in rural and remote areas, and some will find it easier to get child care support in their homes, thanks to reforms from the Federal Government.

“The reforms will help shift workers or those with complex needs find it easier to get In Home Care,” he said.

Federal Member for Durack and Minister for the Environment Melissa Price said the Federal Government is providing $44.5 million to increase the Child Care Subsidy for families using In Home Care as well as increasing the number of places by 200 to 3,200.

The family hourly rate cap will increase from $25.48 to $32.00 per hour and the additional Child Care Subsidy rate will increase from $30.58 to $38.40 per hour, starting 1 January 2019.

“The increased rate cap will help eligible families access affordable In Home Care as well as support providers in the rural and remote parts of the Durack electorate,” Minister Price said.

“Our Government recognises the importance of In Home Care to the families who can’t access other types of child care because of their circumstances.

“We understand that families in regional and remote areas, shift workers or those with a child who has complex needs should also be supported.

“The new rate cap balances the needs of families to access affordable education and care with the interests of providers,” said Minister Price.

“We will continue to monitor the impact of the Child Care Subsidy rate caps on families and services as part of the new child care package evaluation.”

In Home Care is a unique type of education and care for families who cannot access standard childcare.

An IHC educator may be looking after four children in the one home, a subsidy of $32 per hour will enable the services that engage the educator to cover their costs, will enable the educator to be more fairly recompensed, but above all will make IHC more affordable for the families who need it.